Yatindra's initiative in public works raises hackles in political circles

Political leaders and the people, who had welcomed the entry of Dr Yatindra, second son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, into public life as a positive sign have turned averse to his frequent public appearances and inspection of lakes and canals with government officials

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The entry of Dr Yatindra follows the untimely demise of his elder brother Rakesh, who was deemed as the heir apparent of Siddaramaiah. Rakesh fell ill after he participated in Tomorrowland festival in Belgium and was rushed to a hospital in Brussels. However, he failed to respond to the treatment. Even the procedure of flying the body of Rakesh from Brussels to Bengaluru; from Bengaluru to Mysuru; and the display of the body at the Exhibition Grounds was an example in itself.

The whole Cabinet, the Secretariat, the district administration and the police force had descended on the Exhibition Grounds for the occasion. People also made a beeline to the grounds from in and around the city and also from distant districts.

People did not object to the misuse of the government and official machinery for the procedures as they sympathised with the chief minister, who was in grief.

However, over the past one week, Dr Yatindra has become very active. After meeting the party workers and well-wishers on August 24, he has inspected the entire stretch of the Varuna canal and the lakes on its way. He recently shared the dais with his father during the valedictory of the centenary celebrations of the late seer Shivaratri Rajendra Swami at Suttur in Nanjangud taluk.

On Tuesday, he sat along with the chief minister’s Joint Secretary M Ramaiah at the chief minister’s constituency office on the premises of the Zilla Panchayat to receive petitions. He also accompanied the chief minister on Tuesday morning, while he inspected the spot where a portion of the Devaraja Market had collapsed on Sunday. So, the general opinion among the people is that while Rakesh worked in the background for his father, without attracting any publicity, Dr Yatindra has come out more openly.

‘A de-facto MLA’
Dr B H Manjunath, president of the city (district) BJP, said, “Dr Yatindra is acting like a de-facto MLA and the days are not far when he will act as the de-facto CM. He is wielding power without accountability. Hereditary politics is in the DNA of the Congress and the JD(S). But, Dr Yatindra’s conduct seems to be blatant. The chief minister should take note of this in the interest of the voters, who have elected him.”

N R Ravichandregowda, president of the city JD(S) legal cell, said this is not a good development.

“The chief minister has plans to contest from Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency in the 2018 election. So, he wants to groom Dr Yatindra for Varuna constituency. It has to be recalled that former Zilla Panchayat president K Marigowda was also interfering in the affairs of Chamundeshwari constituency as he was supported by Siddaramaiah. The then DC C Shikha had objected to his behaviour from the beginning,” he said.

However, Constitution expert C K N Raja, said, “There is nothing wrong in Dr Yatindra acting on behalf of his father with the latter’s permission. But he has no official role and cannot attend meetings like his father.”